Nearly every driver has engaged in aggressive behavior behind the wheel in the past year, according to new research from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.
The survey found that 96% of licensed drivers admitted to actions such as speeding, running red lights, tailgating, honking, or cutting off other vehicles. Researchers said exposure to hostile driving often fuels more aggression, creating a self-perpetuating cycle on the roads.
Meanwhile, 11% of respondents acknowledged violent actions, including intentionally striking another car or confronting another driver. Men were more likely than women to escalate into violence, though both reported similar rates of aggressive driving.
Drivers under 60 and those with higher household incomes were identified as the most common offenders.
Vehicle type also played a role, with motorists in sports cars, large trucks and motorcycles more often seen as aggressive. Some drivers said those vehicles made them feel more powerful.
Compared with AAA’s 2016 study, cutting off other vehicles rose 67% and honking out of anger jumped 47%. However, tailgating decreased by 24%, and yelling at other drivers decreased by 17%.
